Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-840-220 and other relevant continuing education (CE) rule sections in chapter 246-840 WAC. The nursing care quality assurance commission (commission) is considering adopting the health equity continuing education model rules, WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830, to comply with RCW 43.70.613. The commission will also consider whether additional CE hours and course topics should be included.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.79.010, 18.79.110, 18.79.260, and 43.70.613.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 2021, the legislature passed ESSB 5229, codified as RCW 43.70.613, requiring health professionals credentialed under RCW 18.130.040 with a CE requirement, to complete health equity CE training every four years as described in RCW 43.70.613.

The department of health (department) developed proposed model rules establishing minimum standards for health equity CE training for health care professionals to include instruction on skills to address structural factors, such as bias, racism, and poverty, that manifest as health inequities. The department adopted the model rules in November 2022. Any rules developed by the commission must meet or exceed the minimum standards in the model rules found at WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830.

The commission is considering opening continuing competency rules to establish nursing-specific content requirements for health equity education training.

Rule making will provide the opportunity for interested party engagement, rule clarification, and possible amendments to address the identified concerns.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jessilyn Dagum, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, phone 360-236-3538, fax 360-236-4738, TTY 711, email NCQAC.RULES@doh.wa.gov, website www.nursing.wa.gov.

Additional comments: The commission will notify interested parties of rule making by posting information on the department website, the commission website, and by use of GovDelivery. Interested parties may sign up to receive commission rule-making notices at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new, select the "Subscribe" button at the bottom of the page, and then select "Nursing Commission." The commission will hold virtual meetings at varying times to encourage participation.